Australian coffee shop firm plans UK expansion

28 August, 2009

Page 10

Muffin Break, an Australian coffee shop franchise, has announced plans to expand in the UK. Situated in shopping centre locations, the business currently has 29 outlets and plans to open at least three more by the end of the year. It has been operating in the UK for the last six years and has just celebrated in 20th anniversary in Australia.

UK operations manager Michael Johnson told British Baker that, until now, the target for new store openings in the UK has been around five per year. "In the coming years we hope to achieve around 10 per year. We're quite conservative about our growth, as we want to make sure we get the right locations and be sure our franchisees are going to do well," he said. "There could even be the potential to get to 200 stores in the next 10-20 years, depending on how well the business goes."

The firm has brought several staff over from Australia and has hired an operations consultant for its UK franchise model.

The outlets sell baked goods including cakes, slices, cookies, quiches, sandwiches, and muffins; including gluten-free and low-fat ranges, all of which are made fresh everyday. Johnson said the quality of its coffee was a big part of the business, while it differentiated itself from the major high street coffee chains with its fresh bakery offering.

Muffin Break outlets are currently located in shopping centres, but Johnson said it wouldn't rule out other options, such as high street locations, in the future.

Muffin Break has around 180 outlets in Australia, 38 in New Zealand and three in Dubai.